Eye allergies not getting better

About a month ago, my eyes became horribly bloodshot while I had my contacts in ( I have worn soft contacts for years with no problem). I took them out and started wear my glasses for relief, but my eyes stayed bloodshot.  Finally, the doctor told me I have eye allergies and to not wear my contacts. I have been taking Allegra for about 3 weeks and they seem alittle better, but not a HUGE improvement.  I miss my contacts desperately and am wondering why I have developed eye allergies when I have never had allergies before in my 26 years.  Will it get better the longer I take the medication, or am I doomed to have bloodshot eyes forever?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You will need to stay on top of this problem and take allergy drops such as Patenol, long term, as well as oral allergy medication.  You need to be evaluated for lid margin disease as well as dry eye syndrome.  At some point it would seem that your allergies could be controlled with treatment and lifestyle modifications (avoiding offending allergens, air purifiers, etc.)  I suspect you could have some of the other issues I mentioned and may also need to try another brand and fit of contacts at some point.  Finally, some people never do well with contacts regardless of what we do.    Hopefully you will not be one of those.

Michael Kutryb, MD
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Titusville, FL